[b1oH4zard]

I recently got enough money to buy a pistol. I went to the pawn shop and saw a .357 S&W revolver for $475 and a Glock 17 for only $425. I like the feel of both but i am not sure which one to get. let me know which one i should get and why. all advice is appreciated.

[TeamPrecisionIT]

That's up to you. None of us can tell you which way to go with this. Which one has the capabilities you want? Both a revolver and autoloaders have their advantages and disadvantages and you have to figure out which ones matter more to you more. Personally, I would go for the Glock because I am a fan of autoloaders and the capability of having over 6 rounds at the ready is advantegous, too. Of course this is simply my opinion and YMMV.

Damian

[VegasOPM]

IMHO, the Glock will cover more, different roles. Home Defense, concealed carry, plinking, competition. The Glock also has 3 times the capacity, and is easier for most people to shoot quickly while retaining accuracy. I own both- so I do see the benefits to each. But if I had to choose just 1 gun, it would be a Glock 17.

[Gun Slinger]

If the choice were mine I'd go with the Glock 17.

Simple to operate and maintain, tough as a bucket of rocks, plenty accurate and loads of after-market goodies of you like to tinker or customize.

Since it is not my choice, you'll have to decide for yourself. Don't worry about what others are doing though, just select the gun that suits your needs the best.

[Deanimator]

That depends entirely upon the revolver.

If it's a decent pre-lock gun, I'd go with the Smith. Glocks aren't going anywhere any time soon. Smith no longer makes a good full sized revolver.

More information on the revolver is required for a meaningful recommendation.

[parisite]

The "new" will wear off quick with the Glock. You will have a lot more "pride of ownership" with the S&W revolver and the value will go up the longer you have it.

I've been through and outgrown the polymer/hi-cap phase in my life.

[innerpiece]

get a FORD!!!!!

[george29]

The NEW Sigma is less than $400, comes with 2 16round magazines and is as good as a Glock. It is almost like a G19 but with a more comfortable grip. Supposedly all the bugs have been worked out of it.

[RON in PA]

Apples and oranges.

Look somewhere else, the prices are on the high side.

[Deanimator]

Look somewhere else, the prices are on the high side.
Other than a gunshow or ordering from an online dealer through an FFL, he might not have a choice.

Here in NE Ohio, there are NO deals to be had in gunstores. The best you can do is a high price instead of an insane price. Dick's buying out Galyon's and stopping all handgun sales didn't help. A lack of competition is never your friend.

[indiandave]

Ford or chevy? The beatles or the Stones? The glock guys will say glock and the Smith boys will say a Smith. Go to a gun store and see how you like each one.

[JZ06]

Glock 19(or 19C).:D

[gglass]

The New M&P 9, M&P 357 and M&P 40 all fall into your price range. Don's Guns online has been selling the M&P full size line for $429.00 for quite a while, and local dealers (Northern Indiana) have them for $469.00.

Benefits:
* Brand new gun (Not questionable pawn buy)
* Steel reinforced Polymer Frame (Glock can't say that)
* Fully supported chamber (Glock can't say that)
* 18 degree grip angle (Like pointing a finger or a 1911)
* Through-hardened steel barrel (Not just surface hardened)
* 3 replaceable grip back straps(get the feel you want)
* Steel Novak sights (not plastic)
* It is a lovely thing (IMHO see below)
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/6093/mymp40yn0.jpg (http://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mymp40yn0.jpg)

[pogo2]

This is like choosing between vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Both are good, and it is just a matter of taste which you take.

I have both Glocks and S&W revolvers, and enjoy shooting both. Ideally you should buy one of each. But if you have to choose one, it depends on your application. Is it carry, range, home defense, hunting, etc.? If you were more specific on your use, you'd get better answers.

[Oro]

the Glock will cover more, different roles.

I politely disagree. a 9mm is a round that has a fairly narrow ballistic range, and the 17 is not the most concealable or convenient 9mm to carry around. On the other hand, a .357 goes from a nice, light target .38 round for cheap plinking and range work, up to 200gr bear-stoppers.

Personally, I own and enjoy autos and revolvers. And I've played the "what would be the ONE handgun I'd own if I could only own one" game. And the answer to that is my S&W 3.5" barrel Model 27 .357. A 4" S&W 686 .357 would be the next choice for an "all around" gun. Since you didn't say what S&W .357 it is, you should add that info.

[michiganfan]

Glock

[BCRider]

I'd also suggest the M&P over the Glock. I've fired them both and slightly prefer the feel both in the hand as well as when it cyles for the M&P over the two Glocks I've shot. But it's a fit of the hand sort of deal so YMMV depending on differences between our hands.

Revolver or semi is a tougher question. I never thought I'd be a wheel gun guy until I shot my first box of 38 Spl through a S&W .357. It was love at first round and it hasn't let off any.

But that's me and this is you.

Any commercial ranges in your area where you can try some different guns? It may be a far better use for some of that money to spend some of it test driving a couple or four choices before you commit.

Also how much money do you have for ammo? A revolver will tend to slow you down to a less frantic shooting pace and your ammo buck will last a little longer if you sort of go with the flow. A semi whispers "faster... faster... FASTER ! !" in your earmuffs... :D

[David E]

It depends what role(s) you anticipate using the gun for.

One is very versatile in power, the other very versatile in roles.

The .357 can go from .38 blank, to wax bullet, to shotshell, to 148 wadcutter, to +P .38, to .357 loads that'll shake out the fillings in your teeth....all in the same cylinder!

But does that matter to you ?

The revolver is harder to shoot well, is harder to carry concealed and kicks more (with the defense loads) and is harder/slower to reload.

But it does depend what specific S&W it is. That could make all the difference between value, if not usefulness.

A Glock is versatile in the roles it can fulfill: defense, concealment, competition, etc.

The revolver works for defense, but not as readily. But it also works for hunting, if that matters and if your state allows it. (again, depending on the specific model.)

We need more info !

[BHP FAN]

Browning HI-Power.

[DawgFvr]

Nothing wrong with a BHP...if you have a boat in deed of an anchor.

9mm = Glock

S&W = Lock

pretty poetic...eh?

[Jiml3]

Glock 19!!!!

[texas bulldog]

i agree with those above that say we need more info on the revolver. i know what a glock 17 looks and feels like. but a "S&W .357" could be lots of different things, all with different values and useful roles. is it a 5-shot 2" bbl J-frame? or are we talking a 7-shot 6" bbl L-frame? big difference in both what i'd be willing to pay for each and what i'd intend to use each one for.

also...it sounds like this will be your first pistol, though i could be inferring that incorrectly. if so, you should try a similar example of each before making your choice. a revolver may be safer/easier for a newbie to learn. or if it's a snubbie, it might actually be a lot harder to shoot accurately until you get a good bit of practice under your belt.


to answer the direct question...i'd probably go with the S&W, but only because i'm not crazy about glocks. but some people love 'em. no one here can really answer for you, at least not without more info.

[Justin]

Either of those firearms would be a good pick for a defensive gun and plinker.

Realize that .357 and even .38 Special ammunition is going to cost more than 9mm, so you might want to factor that into your purchase as well.

[oneounceload]

get one of each....

seriously, I own several of each - like them both....BUT, if I had to choose only one?????? the S&W......one reason....I can shoot a variety of ammo - shotshells, wadcutters, lead, jacketed, etc......I can plink, target shoot, take it hunting/hiking, be prepared for snakes, etc.....

[ConstantineJ9]

S&W revolver or a Glock semi auto.

[b1oH4zard]

i going to go with S&W this time. the glock got sold before i could get there.

[ChristopherG]

I predict a lack of regret.

The S&W is indeed more flexible than the glock (I have and have had multiple examples of both); but more importantly, if you learn to shoot a revolver accurately and quickly in double-action, it will make you a better shooter of Glocks and other handguns as well. The converse is not true.

[MikePGS]

Ammo is cheaper for the 9, and I'd probably feel better about buying a used Glock than a used revolver (though if you use Jim March's checkout procedures, that's really a wash). What fits your hand better?

[Rifleman 173]

GLOCK. Don't look back. Just do it. You can thank us later.

[george29]

That M&P is nice and I liked your description of the differences between it and the Glock.,

[biggiesmalls]

why limit yourself to the 2 guns at that pawn shop? decide what you want first and then search for it. those prices you listed aren't as low as they can be had for anyway. good luck!

[30mag]

I think the .357 was a good choice.
It IS more flexible than the glock.. and I'm leery of plastic guns anyways...

[SwampWolf]

S&W revolver or a Glock semi auto.

That's pretty succinct. In other words, which do you want? A revolver or an auto? Only until you make that basic decision can you realistically parse between the choices within each respective category.

[punkndisorderly]

If you're new to shooting, my advice would be neither. Find a local instructor that either offers a course for beginners that includes hands on with revolvers and autoloaders or would be willing to give you a private lesson. Then go towards whichever you feel most comfortable with.

If that's not an option, either find a buddy that owns several handguns and would let you try some in exchange for buying the ammo, find a gun shop that rents and try a few out, or contact a local gun club and explain your situation.

If you're not new, and you really can't decide between the two, then my advice would again be neither. If you're a gun guy, you generally know when something is right. If you're undecided, it's not usually the right gun.

That said, revolvers and autos both have their advantages. I finally went Glock after years of turning up my nose to them. What changed? I ran through an intro to firearms course with my wife and the class used Glocks for the live fire portion. I scored better in the mock CHL test with the Glock 26 my instructor loaned me than I did in the real thing with my own much more expensive 1911 two weeks earlier.

[Ken Rainey]

So, tell us what model of S&W you got and how you like it....

Practice staging the trigger...get that down pat and shooting double action can be very accurate...;)

[muddywatters]

can't go wrong with either. I have a Glock 17 and a Smith 686. Love them both but for different reasons.